Exhaust vent suds control



y 1962 T. R. SMITH ETAL 3,035,429

EXHAUST VENT suns CONTROL Filed Feb. 8, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 22,1962 T. R. SMITH ETAL 3,035,429

EXHAUST VENT suns CONTROL Fil ed Feb. 8, 1961 s Sheets-Sheet 2,Anuentons Thomas Q.5m12-71.. 4 Paul 5. Duatw,"

lvymm/gpgzgfm May 22, 1962 T. R. SMITH ETAL EXHAUST VENT suns CONTROL 3Sheets-Sheet 5 ,invenlors omas 1?. Smllh 4 4ml 5 Deoodur Filed Feb. 8,1961 United States Patent D 3,035,429 EXHAUST VENT SUDS CONTROL ThomasR. Smith, Newton, and Paul S. Decatur, Grinnell, Iowa, assignors to TheMaytag Company, Newton, Iowa, a corporation of Delaware Filed Feb. 8,1961, Ser. No. 87,889 7 Claims. (CI. 68-40) The invention relates to acombination clothes washing and drying unit and has reference inparticular to new and improved valve structure for controlling thedischarge of foam, soapy water and the like from the exhaust vent of theunit.

In certain machines of the washer-drier type, the arrangement of theexhaust vent and the construction of the air flow passage connectingtherewith is such that foam is sometimes blown out of the exhaust vent,when the machine is being drained. Also, it is possible for foam tobuild up and be discharged from the exhaust vent when the machine isfull of water, even though the blower is not operating. To prevent thisbuild up of foam and its discharge, together with suds and the like fromthe exhaust vent, the invention provides a by-pass opening in thepartition wall between the back air flow passage and the tumbler chamberand associates a check valve therewith having an opening movement in adirection towards the tumbler chamber.

Accordingly, the main object of the invention is to provide new andimproved structure which will retain within the tumbler chamber any foamthat may build up during the washing and rinsing operations and whichwill also prevent back circulation into the air flow passage of soapywater, suds and the like.

Another object of the invention as regards a combination washer anddrier as described resides in locating a check valve between the backair flow passage and the tumbler chamber and which will operate in amanner to eliminate the overflow of suds from the exhaust and which willalso eliminate the blowing out of foam and suds from the exhaust at thetime the machine is being emptied and with the blower still operating.

Another object is to provide a washer-drier unit wherein a part or allof the wash and rinse water is delivered to the back air fiow chamberwhich connects with the exhaust vent, and wherein a by-pass opening withcheck valve is provided, the same having operation to allow the water toflow from the air flow chamber into the tumbler chamber and to preventback flow into the air flow chamber.

With these and various other objects in view, the invention may consistof certain novel features of construction and operation as will be morefully described and particularly pointed out in the specification,drawings and claims appended thereto.

In the drawings which illustrate an embodiment of the device and whereinlike reference characters are used to designate like parts- FIGURE 1 isa side elevational view of a combination washer-drier unit, with certainwalls being broken away to better illustrate the valve structure of theinvention;

FIGURE 2 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along line 22of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary view of the present check valve on an enlargedscale, the view being taken substantially along line 33 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a front elevational view of the check valve shown in FIGURES1 and 3;

FIGURE 5 is a Vertical sectional view taken through the check valve ason line 55 of FIGURE 3, and showing structural details of the same; and

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of the check valve.

Referring to the accompanying drawings which illustrate an embodiment ofthe invention, the combination washer-drier unit includes asubstantially flat surfaced base member 10, mounted on legs such as 11.Although only one is shown in the drawings, it will be understood that apair of channel members 12 are welded in spaced relation or otherwisesecurely fixed to the base 10 to form the two major supports for the tuband rotating clothes drum of the washer-drier unit.

The channel members 12 are substantially triangular in configurationwhen viewed in elevation as in FIGURE 2. The apex of each membersupports a pivot pin 14 and which is journalled by means of the tubularbearing sleeve 15. Accordingly the structure provides a pivotal supportfor the tub brackets 16, the said brackets being welded or fixed in anysuitable manner to the tub or casing generally designated by the numeral18. The pivoting of the tub on the channel members 12 by means of thepivot pins 14 permits the tub to oscillate back and forth in an arcuatemovement in response to various forces generated within the tub.

The tub 18 is maintained in an upright position on the pivot pins 14 bythe two centering springs 20 connected between the tub l8 and the base10 by means of the anchor brackets such as 21 fastened to the respectivemembers. Also, means may be provided in the form of a damper pad anddamper leaf spring for absorbing and dissipating the energy imparted tothe tub. The damper pad and spring are not disclosed, since they are notconcerned with the present invention. However, for a betterunderstanding of the same and for a more complete description of a venttype of washer-drier unit, reference is made to the copendingapplication of Arthur D. Sexton, Serial No. 84,159 filed January 23,1961, and entitled Gas Fired Combination Washer-Drier.

The tub 18 includes a generally cylindrical side wall 22, a pair ofspaced rear walls 24 and 25, and a front wall, not shown, at the frontend of the tub, and which includes an opening by means of which theclothes are deposited in the rotating clothes drum 26 of the unit. Thetub 18 is enclosed within the substantially rectangular cabinetgenerally designated by the numeral 27, the front wall of which islikewise provided with an opening in alignment with the opening in thetub and which is provided with the conventional door having a glasswindow. The rear wall 24 and the front wall are, respectively, connectedto the cylindrical side wall 22 by means of an encompassing flangedloop-like member 28. The intermediate rear wall 25 is suitably welded tothe cylindnical side wall 22, and it will be understood that the spacedwalls 24 and 25 support the tub bearing assembly including a spacer hub23 located bet-ween and fixed to the walls 24 and 25. The spacer hubjournals a drive shaft 29, FIGURE 2, which extends rearwardly of theouter rear wall 24 and forwardly beyond the intermediate wall 25. Therear extending portion of the drive shaft 29 has the drive pulley 30fixed thereto. The endless belt 31 passes around the pulley and by meansof an electnic motor or other form of power, the pulley 30 and its driveshaft 29, are rotated. The forwardly extending end of said drive shafthas the perforated clothes drum 26 suitably fixed thereto as by means ofthe perforated end wall 32 of the clothes drum. Accordingly, the drum isadapted to rotate within the tumbler chamber of the tub. In theillustrated embodiment transmission mechanism of the solenoid operatedtype is provided and which when energized produces rotation of the drumat a speed of approximately 300 revolutions per minute and whende-energized the clothes drum is caused to revolve at a speed ofapproximately 50 revolutions per minute.

The tub 18 is formed to provide a lower recessed portion 34 which formsa sump for the tub, the sump 34 communicates with the drain pump 35, andthe sump also includes a perforated tray 36 for preventing foreignparticles, passing through the perforated clothes drum 26 and into thetub 18, from entering and damaging the pump '35. The drain pump isdriven by the electric motor which rotates the clothes drum 26, and forthis purpose the pulley 37 and endless belt 38 are provided.

The sump 34 is positioned between the intermediate wall 25 and the outerfront wall of the tub casing. Accordingly the sump receives the washingand condensing fluids discharged into the tub casing 18 and the liquidsare drained from the sump by the drain pump 35. It is, of course,necessary to provide a valve, not shown, on the drain pump in order toretain the washing liquids within the tub during the washing and rinsingoperations of the combination unit.

In accordance with the invention a drain aperture 40 is provided in wall25 to enable the washing liquids within the back passage 39 between therear walls 24 and 25 to flow into the sump 34 for eventual discharge bythe drain pump. In connection therewith the invention contemplates theprovision of a check valve 41 for normally closing the aperture 40. InFIGURE 1 the valve is shown closed. Its opening movement is in adirection towards the tumbler chamber of the tub 18, the said chambercontaining the perforated clothes drum 26. The structure and operationof the check valve will be explained in more detail as the descriptionproceeds.

Mounted on the side wall 42 of the cabinet 27 is a gas burner assemblyhaving a part 43 projecting through an opening 44 in the cylindricalwall 22 of the tub casing 18. The burner, including part 43, extendsthrough the opening 44 and into a combustion chamber 45, having thegeneral configuration of a rectangular box with open ends such as 46 and47, and top and bottom walls 43 and 56. The open flame of the gas firefrom burner 43 is thus contained within the confines of chamber 45.

The path of air flow in the combination washer-drier unit as disclosed,is from atmosphere opening 44 in the tub wall 22, through the combustionchamber 45, through the conduit 52 mounted on the tub 18 and into theperforated clothes drum 26. After traversing the clothes within the drum26, the air is removed through an opening 53 in the intermediate wall25, and said air is then forced through the outlet or exhaust passage 54located in the back passage and formed by duct work includingcylindrical wall 22, side walls 24 and 25, and an arcuate top wall 55.From the said exhaust passage the air is discharged through an exhaustand vent opening 56 formed in the rear wall 24.

Water for the washing operation is partly supplied by the flexible hoseor conduit 60 which discharges into the cup 61 provided on thecylindrical wall 22 of the tub. The water from hose 60 thus drains intothe tumbler chamber of the tub within which is located the perforatedclothes drum 26. Some of the wash water may also be supplied by a secondflexible hose or cg r duit 62. The hose 62 discharges into the cup 63and a length of hose 64 may conduct the Water from the cup and dischargethe same onto the blades of the impeller 65. A housing for theimpeller-type fan 65 is produced by cooperation of the rear Walls 24 and25 with an imperforate scroll-shaped enclosing wall 66 as clearly shownin FIGURE 2. The impeller housing is suitably connected with the ductwork forming the passage 54 and which accordingly extends from thescrollshaped housing 66 to the exhaust vent 56. With the hose 64discharging water against the rotating impeller blades, the stream isbroken up in a manner to produce a flushing spray during the tillportion of the cycle of operations for the purpose of flushing theimpeller, housing, and associated duct free of lint.

In operation during a washing process, water is fed into the tub to thedesired level by means of the conduits 6t) and 62. The said conduitsconnect with the main water supply hose 68 having connection with acontrol valve 70 of the solenoid actuated type. The fluid level withinthe tub is suitably controlled by means of pressure diaphragm switchmechanisms, not shown, and which is suitably connected to a fill valvesolenoid in the usual manner.

It will be understood that the impeller 65 rotates continuously duringthe washing, rinsing and drying cycles, since the impeller is driven bythe same motor that produces rotation of the clothes drum 26. However,during the Washing and rinsing cycles, when the water within the tub 18is above the low point in the exhaust passage 54, it will be seen that awater trap is provided preventing air flow from taking place in the saidpassage. The water is drained from the drum for a drying cycle, and thusthe heated air from the chamber 45 is drawn into the clothes drum 26through the perforations therein for drying the clothes. The air is thenwithdrawn by the impeller 65 and forced to flow in the exhaust passage54 for eventual discharge to the exhaust opening 56.

During a washing and rinsing operation the production of soapy water,suds and the like in the back chamber is controlled by delivering partor all of the incoming Wash and rinse water to the said back chamber,and then allowing the water to flow into the tumbler chamber through thedrain aperture 40 which, however, is normally closed by the check valve41. The action of the check valve is to prevent reverse circulation ofthe suds and soapy water into the back chamber and into the air flowpassage which leads to the vent opening. As best shown in FIGURE 5, thecheck valve generally designated by the numeral 41, is preferably formedof rubher or other suitable resilient material and the same is disposedas shown in FIGURE 1 on the right side of the drain aperture 40 andwithin the tumbler chamber of the tub. The check valve is suitablysecured at its upper end to the top edge of the drain aperture by meansof the spaced portions 71, and the valve member depends vertically tothus normally maintain the drain aperture closed due to the naturalbiasing action of the valve member in this direction. When the water onthe left side of the valve reaches a predetermined level, the pressureof the water will be sufficient to force the valve member in a directiontowards the right as shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 5. This openingaction of the valve is facilitated by the grooves 72 formed therein anddisposed horizontally of the member. The grooves tend to weaken thevalve for bending in this direction, thus effecting an opening actionwith considerably less water pressure than would otherwise be the case.

With the check valve 41 opening in a right hand direction, it will beappreciated that the water from the back chamber will be permitted toflow into the tumbler chamber, and that such flow Will take placeautomatically when the water within the back chamber reaches apredetermined level as described. With the check valve closed, any foamthat may build up within the tumbler chamber is confined within thechamber and the suds and soapy Water from the tumbler chamber areeffectively prevented from passing into the exhaust passage 54. Thus thecheck valve eliminates the possibility of any foam, suds or the likefrom being blown out of the exhaust vent as the water is being drainedfrom the tub. Also, during operation, the production of such foam andsuds within the back chamber is prevented so that here again thepossibility of the same being vented from the exhaust opening issubstantially eliminated.

The invention is not to be limited to or by details of construction ofthe particular embodiment thereof illustrated by the drawings, asvarious other forms of the device will, of course, be apparent to thoseskilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention orthe scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In laundry apparatus, the combination including a tub casingproviding a washing and drying chamber, a clothes receptacle rotatablymounted within said chamber on a non-vertical axis, an air circulatingfan communicating with the chamber, an exhaust opening communicatingwith said tub casing, duct work located exten'orly of the chamber andconnecting the pressure side of the fan with the exhaust opening wherebyan air flow passage is provided, water supply means having connectionwith said tub casing so as to deliver water to the air flow passage, awall of said duct work having an opening therein connecting the air flowpassage with the chamber, and a check valve normally closing saidopening, said check valve when open admitting water from the air flowpassage to the chamber, and said check valve when closed preventingfoam, suds and the like such as may develop within the chamber fromentering the air flow passage.

2. Laundry apparatus as defined by claim 1, wherein the check valvecomprises a member of resilient material and which opens automaticallyin a direction towards the chamber for admitting water from the air flowpassage to the chamber.

3. Laundry apparatus as defined by claim 1, wherein the check valvecom-prises a member of resilient material, and wherein said check valveopens automatically in a direction towards the chamber for admittingwater from the air flow passage to the chamber when the level of waterin the air flow passage produces a pressure against the check valvesufiicient toovercome its natural biasing action in a closing direction.

4. In laundry apparatus, the combination including a tub casingproviding a washing and drying chamber, a clothes receptacle rotatablymounted within said chamber on a non-vertical axis, an air circulatingfan communicating with the chamber and operative to Withdraw air fromthe chamber, an exhaust opening communicating with said tub casing, ductwork located exteriorly of the chamber and connecting the pressure sideof the fan with the exhaust opening whereby an air flow passage isprovided, water supply means having connection with said tub casing soas to deliver water to the chamber and to the air flow passage, a Wallof said duct Work having an open ing therein connecting the air flowpassage with the chamber, and a check valve normally closing saidopening, said check valve having a location on the side of the openingwithin the chamber whereby the valve opens in a direction towards thechamber for admitting water from the air flow passage to the chamber,and said check valve when closed preventing foam, suds and the like suchas may develop within the chamber from entering the air flow passage.

5. In a machine for washing and drying fabrics during washing and dryingoperations, a generally cylindrical tub including a cylindrical shell, afront wall and spaced inner, and outer rear walls, whereby said tubprovides a tumbler chamber between the front wall and the inner rearwall, and provides a back chamber between the said rear walls, arotatable perforate drum positioned in the tumbler chamber for receivingand tumbling fabrics during the washing and drying operations, animpeller located between the spaced rear walls and communicating withthe tumbler chamber through an opening in the inner rear wall, anexhaust conduit connecting with the back chamber through an opening inthe outer rear wall, duct work including said spaced rear Wallsproviding an air flow passage connecting the pressure side of theimpeller with the exhaust opening, said inner rear wall in the vicinityof the lowest point in the air flow passage having an opening forconnecting the air fiow passage with the tumbler chamber, and a checkvalve normally closing said opening, said check valve when openadmitting water from the air flow passage to the tumbler chamber, andsaid check valve when closed preventing foam, suds and the like such asmay develop within the tumbler chamber from entering the air flowpassage.

6. A machine for washing and drying fabrics as defined by claim 5,wherein the check valve comprises a member of resilient material andwhich opens automatically towards the tumbler chamber for admittingwater from the air flow passage to the chamber.

7. A machine for washing and drying fabrics as defined by claim 5,wherein the check valve comprises a member of resilient material andwherein said check valve opens automatically in a direction towards thetumbler chamber for admitting water from the air flow passage to thechamber when the level of the water in the air flow passage produces apressure against the check valve sufiicient to overcome its naturalbiasing action in a closing direction.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,915,888 Rickel Dec. 8, 1959 2,941,389 Morrison June 21, 1960 2,986,917Smith June 6, 1961

